Hays Christian Church

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

In Mark 6:30-44, a large crowd hungers for Jesus' teachings and follows Him and the disciples to a remote location. Rather than let them depart to buy their own food when it grew late, Jesus took 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to miraculously feed all five thousand, resulting in full stomachs and many leftovers. This example is one we can follow to serve with love.

Faith for All

In Mark 5:21-43, Jesus performs miracles for 2 opposite people: Jairus, a synagogue leader, and an unnamed woman in the crowd who was considered unclean. However, as different as they were, their faith in Jesus was equal. Jairus' daughter was raised from the dead and the woman's illness was cured. From society's lowest members to the highest, the only thing that matters is faith in Him.

Jesus Casts Out the Demons

In Mark 5:1-20, after proving His power over nature, Jesus proves His power over demons by casting out the Legion from a possessed man. Demons are real and when we are struggling, we can call out to Jesus to save us because He died and was resurrected for our sake. 

Jesus Calms the Storm

In Mark 4:35-5:1, Jesus and His disciples were caught in a severe storm at sea. Awoken in the disciples' panic, Jesus shows His dominion over nature and quiets the storm. The disciples allowed their fear to eclipse their faith, but we must be careful not to make the same mistake. God is in control!

J.O.Y.

To help us remember to be beacons of joy, especially in these challenging times, Pastor Kevin spells out the acronym J.O.Y. as Jesus, Others, and Yourself as the ideal order for our priorities. Jesus puts our troubles into perspective, helping others fulfills one of the greatest commandments, and taking care of ourselves allows us to function at greater capacity. These things combined can carry us through life's lows with joy.

Easing Worry in This Time of Crisis

In this challenging time, it's easy to be consumed by worry, but we can't forget that God is with us. For this message, Pastor Kevin Daniels walks us through ways to alleviate our anxieties by putting our faith in Him.

What Christian Churches Stand For

Continuing from Joanne Tramel's message, Steve Tramel focuses on the foundational unity of the Christian Church movement, how the Christian Church is faithful to its heritage, four phrases we use to refer to ourselves, and six principles associated with the movement.

Christians Who Changed the World: Alexander Campbell

For this message, Joanne Tramel teaches us about Alexander Campbell's life and legacy that revolutionized the church. During the Protestant Reformation of the early 19th century, Christian denominations were harshly divided, which pushed Alexander Campbell to devote his life to preaching unity through the New Testament.

Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 12): Characteristics of Life in the Spirit

In Galatians 5:22-26, Paul lists the qualities that the Holy Spirit brings out in us when we thoroughly give ourselves to Christ. While we cannot bring out the Fruit of the Spirit on our own, it is our responsibility to actively follow.

Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 11): The Dangers of Self-Centered Living

In Galatians 5:13-21, Paul clarifies to the Galatians that freedom from the law of Moses does not grant them (or us) the freedom to live the immoral lives of the flesh. Instead, we are called to be lead by the Holy Spirit to love one another.

Love Is...

Jennie Straight discusses the Love Chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, going into detail about what love is and is not.

Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 10): Freedom in Christ

In Galatians 5:1-12, Paul argues that by submitting to a part of the law (e.g., circumcision), like the Judaizers insist on, the Galatians become slaves to the entire law and fall from salvation. Only our faith in Jesus grants us the freedom we seek. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 9): The Contrast and Continuing Conflict Between Isaac and Ishmael

In Galatians 4:21-31, Paul illustrates his point to the Galatians by comparing the first two sons of Abraham. Ishmael, son of the slave Hagar, was born through human efforts to fulfill God's promise, Sarah's son Isaac was born through God's will. Are we children of Ishmael, slave to the law? Or are we children of Isaac, free because we place our faith in God?

Hopefulness

With all the tragedy and violence in the world today, it's easy to be dragged down into despair. Jennie Straight finds examples in Joseph and Daniel the show us that even in the darkest times, we can look to God for hope.

Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 8): Imitate Paul's Love for Others

In Galatians 4:8-20 Paul reminds the Galatians of their life in slavery to the law or false gods before they became followers of Christ. Paul also recalls that when he first arrived in Galatia to spread the Gospel, he was sick, but they did not reject him and he shared friendship and love with them. With that history, he pleads them to follow his example and remain faithful to Gospel.

Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 7): Faith in Christ

Before the law's existence, Abraham was justified to God through his faith. As Paul argues to the Judisers, the Gentiles are likewise justified by their faith in Christ, who rescued them and us from the curse of the law, as promised by God.

2020 Prayer Service

To start 2020 on the right foot, we are praying for the global persecuted church (Pat Albrecht), our nation and military (Gary Howard), gratitude (Bruce Bellinger), forgiveness and reconciliation (Betty Rupp), those not attending a church (Jennie Straight), Hays Christian Church (Carolyn Smith), our missions (Scot Lisman), and personal prayers. Get your own copy of the handout HERE!

Red Letter Resolutions

Jesus asks in Luke 6:46, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" As Joanne Tramel explains, "Red Letter Christians" put their efforts into living their lives as Jesus taught us. One of the major ways we can become Red Letter Christians is to love our neighbors, showing them kindness, compassion, and good will.

God With Us (Part 3): The Worship of the Magi

Two years after His birth, the Wise Men found Jesus and worshiped Him, presenting Him with the best gifts they could offer. Will we also come to Jesus to bring our praises and the best we can give? Considering all that He has done for us to give us salvation, He is worthy!

God With Us (Part 2): Mary's Willingness to Serve

Mary was a nobody to the world, but she was chosen by God to bring Jesus Christ into it. She willingly obeyed and accepted responsibility. We, too, might be globally insignificant, but God has tasked us with the responsibility of sharing the birth, life, and death of our Savior to those around us.

God with Us (Part 1): The Righteousness of Joseph

To begin preparations for Christmas, our "God with Us" series kicks off by recognizing Joseph's righteousness that made him worthy to be Jesus' father on earth. Pastor Kevin directs us to Matthew 1:18-25 and gives us valuable context of the times.

Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 6): Argument from Experience

In the first argument against "Gospel plus" (Galatians 3:1-5), Paul uses the Galatians' own experiences of salvation to prove that the law isn't going to save them spiritually. Today, our experiences with Christ's salvation can be a powerful message when we are spreading the Good News.

Let the Words of My Mouth

In today's social climate, our words hold immense power, so Jennie Straight takes to Scripture to remind us that, as Christians, we have an important responsibility. Because we represent Jesus, it is our responsibility to carefully control what we say and speak with love and truth, as our Savior would.

How to Share Jesus Without Fear (Part 2)

Part 2 of Jennifer Urban's message finishes detailing the 3-step method to help us spread the Word, including what notes to make in our sharing bibles and the last step, 5 questions to lead to the point of decision.

How to Share Jesus Without Fear (Part 1)

Part 1 of Jennifer Urban's message points reasons we may not share the Gospel of Jesus, but that our success as Christians depends on doing so. So, she outlines the first 2 steps in a 3-step method to help us spread the Word: ask questions and share scripture.

Jesus + Anything = Nothing (Part 5): Adding to the Gospel is Heresy to the Highest Degree

In the second half of Galatians chapter 2, Paul is outraged by Peter's hypocrisy and confronts him. Peter had stopped eating with Gentiles in favor of pushing them to follow Jewish laws, and as a church leader, others followed him. He added to the Gospel, which Paul condemns as complete heresy. We still have heretics to contend with today, so we must be on our guard and speak out.